A SKIM THROUGH SOME GLENFIDDICH EXPRESSIONS

 NUMEROUS EXPRESSIONS FROM GLENFIDDICH

GLENFIDDICH MALT MASTER’S EDITION 43% ABV

SPICY, HINT OF TOASTED ALMOND AND FRUIT CAKE

Exceptional skill, decades of dedication and an inventive mind make a brilliant Malt Master. Earth and soaked wood aromas blend with deep vanilla. Flavours are sharp with spice and round with plum. A hint of toasted almonds gives way to a silky smooth finish.

A complete original from their Malt Master, this unique bottling is offered in homage to Glenfiddich’s 125th anniversary. 

Colour: Deep ruby red.

Nose: Clear components of pear and crisp apple. Cider. Slightly winey, with red grape skins and a mild sour note. Golden raisins and vanilla. Damp earth and whisky-soaked wood intertwine with deep vanilla and smoky embers.

Palate: Rich with complex flavours layered by double-maturation. Sherbet and zinginess slowly turn to spice. Tempting plum and cherry follow, with hints of toasted almonds and fruit cake. Nice caramel apple notes. Round and sweet. Medium-bodied. Granola and golden raisins.

Finish: Silky and smooth. Sticky toffee pudding. Malty and mildly oaky on the tail end, not overly bitter. Walnut on the fade-out. 

With Water: Opens up some banana notes, and various florals – honeysuckle? Palate is washed out and bland. I don’t suggest water with this.

Overall: Very nice. The nose is a surprise, with mouth-watering fruit notes that stand out clearly. It gets somewhat too sweet in the finish, where the subtle notes are washed away by the sticky caramelised sugar. Delicate and accomplished, even if a tad expensive.

Their first double-matured expression. Glenfiddich’s sixth Malt Master, Brian Kinsman, has created their first double-matured expression. After many years ageing in oak casks, Glenfiddich’s Malt Master’s Edition spends its final years in sherry casks. This layers an unmatched depth of aroma and flavour in each one of their individually crafted batches.

Caramelised Casks: The sweet Spanish sherry butts we use to mature our whiskies are toasted to caramelise their wood sugars. Deepening the fruit and softening the sweetness of the maturing whisky inside.

Gentle Flavouring: The sherry butts used each hold 110 gallons and are the largest of all casks used in maturing single malt Scotch whisky. Their large size and volume means the whisky inside matures more slowly and gently picks up their aromas and flavours.

This is a “double wood”, aged for the majority of its life in ex-bourbon, and then given a secondary maturation (not just a finish) in sherry casks. According to the press release, this is the first Glenfiddich malt to be transferred entirely from bourbon barrels to a prolonged maturation in sherry barrels, as opposed to the 18-year, for example, where barrels of each type are blended together in large batches to get the target flavour profile. This seems rather specious for an $80 price tag, although it could be argued that the barrels selected for this malt are of higher quality and thus more valuable than the “run of the mill” barrels that get dumped into the mass-market varieties. That’s a consideration that can’t be quantified – we will have to take Glenfiddich’s word that this whisky is worth $80. 

GLENFIDDICH DISTILLERY EDITION 15 YO 51% ABV TRAVEL RETAIL 1.0L

CREAMY, FLORAL, SPICY BLACK PEPPER, LUSCIOUS GENTLE FRUIT FLAVOURS

Glenfiddich, the world’s most awarded single malt Scotch whisky has revealed stunning new packaging on their 15 Year Old Distillery Edition Scotch Whisky. Evocative imagery of the Glenfiddich Distillery is featured along with a bespoke foot label – all wrapped in a beautiful smoky grey and gold gift tube further enhancing the premium feel for the discerning whisky drinker.

A higher strength single malt Scotch whisky, crafted with Glenfiddich’s century-old traditions. After at least 15 years maturing in traditional American oak and Spanish oak, it is non-chill filtered and bottled at 51% ABV to protect its subtle flavours. Unique floral and peppery notes are released and a sweet, velvet, warm finish.

Colour: Deep gold autumn barley.

Nose: It needs time to develop in the glass. A delicate floral and creamy aroma with hints of freshly ground black pepper. Its a very clean aroma, in a way. There are two sides: the fruity and the malted barley. On the former it’s pears, almost a cider or mead perhaps, with tones of honey and vanilla; tangerines and dried apricots. On the latter there’s just the touch of summer straw in dusty barns. It’s not massively complex, but it’s expressed very well. And again, just feels clean and precise. With a little water, the fruity and vanilla sweetness of Glenfiddich is released.

Palate: At full strength the smooth, warming flavour is centred around a delicious creamy spiciness. Identical to the nose in many respects, with the two sides of fruitiness and malted barley. More citrus notes, with tangerines, lime juice, as well as sultanas and dried apricots. Those malty notes are a little more restrained, and instead some of the heat of the wood takes over. Bitter chocolate. Pepper. And maybe some feints in the form of digestive biscuits and honey once again. After adding a little water, the softer vanilla and gentle luscious fruit flavours come through.

Finish: Lingering, sweet and velvety warm.

A Coppersmith’s Art: Glenfiddich is one of the few distilleries to employ an onsite coppersmith to build and tend to all our stills. Rare and highly skilled, they’ve only had three coppersmiths since 1957. Their stillman once judged the heat of the stills by expert ear. He would swing a wooden bung hung from the rafters with string, into the side of the still. A hollow sound and the liquid wasn’t in danger of overflowing. After decades spent mastering their craft, their coopers instinctively understand how the very best quality wood can imbue their precious single malt with extra rich layers of character that perfectly complement the velvety, peaty flavours found in their Vintage Cask. To ensure the quality of their wood, they’re one of the last distilleries with their own on-site cooperage. They think it makes all the difference.

At just over £50 for a one litre bottle, it’s a superb purchase. It showcases just how tasty Glenfiddich can be, even being one of the world’s biggest whisky brands. It’s great that there’s some honest pricing still out there.

GLENFIDDICH AGE OF DISCOVERY MADEIRA CASK FINISH 19 YO 40% ABV

DEEP, EARTHY,SWEET RIPE FIGS ORANGE MARMALADE

In homage to the intrepid Portuguese voyagers who went on to change our understanding of the new world, Glenfiddich created its first ever 19 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky. Finished in fine, aged Madeira wine casks from an independent island winery dating back to 1850 this expression was named Glenfiddich Age of Discovery. An earthy, bright whisky with a warmth that fades to long sweetness. The first time they’ve used Madeira casks for incredible, rich depth.

Colour: Antique gold.

Nose: Deep earthy aromas of sweet ripe fig and orange marmalade create a backdrop to bright notes –fresh gooseberry and grapes ripening on the vine.

Palate: Rich, spicy cinnamon and crushed black pepper rest on a deep earthy base. Caramelised fruits, crystallised ginger, raisins and hints of dry oak unravel. A satisfying, silky smooth, almost oily texture.

Finish: Dry with warmth that fades into sweet marmalade notes.

HONOURING EXPLORERS                        

15th Century Portuguese explorers defined sea routes from Europe to Thailand and Malaysia in search of a passage to India. Along the way discovering new islands – Porto Santo and Madeira. Their cultures, customs and fine tastes. They inspired Glenfiddich’s Age Of Discovery whiskies.

Madeira casks holding Madeira fortified wine made from local grapes mature in traditional canteiro warehouses, designed to capture the sun’s heat. The warmth builds remarkably rich flavours into the wine and casks, giving this expression an intense full-bodied finish. To celebrate The Age Of Discovery, Glenfiddich created an exclusive black glass bottle bearing a red cartouche compass. Presented in a beautiful casing that maps out the routes of those first Portuguese adventurers.

The majority of the Madeira casks came from the Canteiro warehouses of Henrique & Henrique, a famous family-owned Madeira Company established in 1850. This is where the casks were first used to mature wine made from luscious Tinta Negra Mole grapes before being transported to The Glenfiddich Distillery.

Glenfiddich produced three 19-year-old expressions in this range: one that was fully matured in bourbon casks, one that was finished in Madeira wine casks and a Red Wine Cask Finish.

The Age of Discovery Red Wine Cask Finish was created to commemorate the 1831 voyage of the HMS Beagle, which traveled to South America so Darwin could pick up fossils and specimens. These helped him to document his theory of evolution. Indeed, the full title of his famous book is printed on the box of whisky:

On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Section, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life.

GLENFIDDICH VINTAGE CASK 40% ABV TRAVEL RETAIL 1.0L

SMOKY, FLORAL AND INTENSE

Glenfiddich’s Malt Master hand-selected the finest casks of European and American oak and married them in small batches to create a truly extraordinary single malt, the culmination of their coopers’ craft and skill.

Unusually for their collection, Glenfiddich Vintage is a lightly peated whisky. The European oak casks give it a vibrant, toffee apple character, while the American oak imparts layers of additional smoky embers and velvety vanilla smoothness. Glenfiddich uses their distinctive Cask Collection Solera vat to meld these complex flavours together, adding extra layers of richness, depth and complexity to create a smoky, characterful and lingering whisky with a delicate yet discernibly peaty note. Exclusively available in Global Travel Retail.

Colour: Golden barley.

Nose: Freshly cut straw and bonfire smoke recall an autumn evening. Smokiness and leafy, floral notes to intrigue and delight.

Palate: An initial burst of sweetness with vanilla, crème brûlée and citrus, immediately followed by a rush of smoke, burning embers and meadow flowers.

Finish: Long lasting floral and smoky notes.

It’s been a long while since Glenfiddich made a whisky with peat. In the days of William Grant, and up to the 1950s, peat was often used in the malting process. This expression pays homage to those times. The new distillate is typically around 25ppm phenol, which reduces to around 15ppm as the liquid matures.

Developed by their fifth Malt Master, David Stewart, the Solera process was inspired by his journey to the sherry-making regions of Spain. Individual casks are hand-chosen for their flavour before being married in a specially constructed Solera Vat that’s always kept at least half full, allowing the individual and complex flavours found in each cask to marry, mellow and create a single malt of ultimate consistency.

GLENFIDDICH RESERVE CASK 40% ABV TRAVEL RETAIL 1.0L

ANTIQUE LEATHER, SPICE AND OAK

Matured in distinctive Spanish sherry casks to create a rich and mellow flavour, each individual cask is hand-selected for its flavour profile by Glenfiddich’s Malt Master, Brian Kinsman.

Once selected, casks are married in their unique Solera vat, allowing their complementary flavours to get to know each other and meld together to create a single malt of extraordinary consistency and quality.

Deliciously smooth and silky, this expression has a sweet, spicy taste and a complex flavour that develops with each sip. Smells like Autumn. A truly intriguing single malt. Exclusively available in Global Travel Retail in 1L bottles at 40% ABV.

Colour: Dark golden, walnut.

Nose: A bold, vibrant aroma with an abundance of spice and oak. Fresh toasted white bread with marmalade. Antique leather and parchment. Honied pears, earthy hay-like malt, roasted apples, caramel, cinnamon, cherries, nuts and a touch of fruit cake and a grapey underpinning. That hay-like malt comes across more prominently the more it sits and opens as does the sherry essence.

Palate: Deliciously smooth and silky. The sweetness of the spirit and spice of the Spanish oak combine to give a complex, intriguing flavour that evolves in the glass. Toffee, dark fruit, hay-like malt, honey, dried orchard fruit, nuts and a bits of cinnamon, cocoa, grapey sweetness, menthol and copper. Like the aroma, the longer this whisky sits and opens the more prominent that hay-like malt and sherry character becomes.

Finish: Drops of copper, cinnamon, malty sweetness and menthol. Very long lasting with an enduring sweetness.

GLENFIDDICH’S UNIQUE AND PIONEERING SOLERA PROCESS

Developed by their fifth Malt Master, David Stewart, the Solera process was inspired by the sherry-makers of Spain. Individual casks are hand-chosen for their flavour before being married in a specially constructed Solera Vat, producing a single malt Scotch whisky that's incredibly complex and rich. The vat is always kept half full throughout the process, ensuring a balanced and consistent flavour.

The calm, peaceful, even reverent atmosphere of Warehouse 8, home to their Solera Vat, is a must-see on any visit to their Distillery. For ten, twenty, thirty, in some cases over fifty years, some of their most precious casks rest here, developing character in the quiet warehouse. To create their Cask Collection, they built three new Solera Vats, the perfect anniversary gift to a Warehouse that celebrates its 60th birthday this year.

To create the Reserve Cask edition, Malt Master Brian Kinsman carefully hand-selects individual sherry casks, reserved for their mellow and rich flavour characteristics which are then married in limited batches in Glenfiddich’s unique Solera Vat. The hand-selected sherry casks impart layers of warm vanilla, deep rich fruits and subtle oaky tannins for a truly rewarding single malt.

THE THREE GLENFIDDICH AGE OF DISCOVERY 19 YO EXPRESSIONS

There are a lot of people writing about whisky. There are few people that write independent reviews. If you have to believe the first category, there are only excellent whiskies. That just is not true. There are a lot of excellent whiskies yes. As there should be because whisky today is expensive! But there is a lot of indifferent product and some stuff is just not good enough. There is a clear need for independent reviewers. I am one of them. I have nothing to do with the industry. I don't sell anything. I don't have the perfect Palate. My opinion is as good as yours! I just taste whiskies and tell you what I think about them. That's all.